Top 6 Places to Visit in December in India

December is here! You know what it means, right? It is the beginning of the last month of the year, the Christmas month. It is time to make Christmas holiday plans and travel to your favourite destination or explore a new place. 

During this time of the year, you can see people in their celebration mood and there is a happy and joyful vibe all across the country. With schools remaining shut, you can use the opportunity to plan a quick vacation and spend quality time with them while getting new experiences. 

There are many places to go in December, but we bring you the top seven places to visit in December in India 2023. So, without any further ado, let's begin. 

• Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
• Coorg, Karnataka
• Agra, Uttar Pradesh
• Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
• Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
• Shillong, Meghalaya

Shimla

The ‘Queen of Hills,’ Shimla is undoubtedly one of the best places to travel in December, and rightfully deserves its place at the top of the list. A picturesque hill town with a fairytale-like landscape, you can come here any time of the year, but in December, the town's beauty multiplies tenfold, turning into a snow wonderland. 

During Christmas, the city receives plenty of rainfall and is the best time to indulge in a range of snow activities like skiing and ice skating. If you are visiting Shimla with your spouse, you have come to the most romantic gateway in India. You can go for a stroll through the streets of Shimla, and explore the colonial buildings, which stand as a testimony to the city’s glorious past. 

Even though December is the peak tourist season, and you will find plenty of crowd at all popular attractions, Shimla has a knack for letting you find your inner peace beyond everything. 

Best places to visit in Shimla – Narkanda, Rohru, Kufri, Mashobra, Summer Hill, Shaily Peak, Annandale

Resorts in Shimla – Club Mahindra Kandaghat, one of the most premium resorts in Shimla. It is the perfect abode to experience Shimla’s culture, hospitality, and cuisine. 

Coorg

The land of coffee, spices, and serenity, Coorg is a majestic place in every sense of the word. Known for its pleasant weather all through the year and lush greenery, Coorg is every nature lover and coffee connoisseur’s delight. For its pristine natural beauty, this stunning hill station has earned the sobriquet ‘Scotland of India.’ 

Located on the emerald hills between Kodagu and Mysore in Karnataka state, Coorg’s landscape is replete with deep gorges, hanging valleys, and rolling meadows. If you are looking for a holiday destination in the south where you can just relax and unwind in the laps of nature, Coorg is one of the best places to visit in December. 

Here, you can just spend an entire day, admiring the natural beauty and indulging in many recreational activities like camping, trekking, spice plantation tours, coffee tasting, hiking, and river rafting. 

Best places to visit in Coorg – Abbey Falls, Madikeri Fort, Dubare Elephant Camp, Omkareshwara Temple, Namdroling Monastery

Resorts in Coorg – Club Mahindra Madikeri, Club Mahindra Virajpet. Both these resorts offered by Club Mahindra are rated among the best family and couple-friendly resorts in Coorg. Located on the hills, they boast of spacious and the most modern amenities that make your stay comfortable and relaxing. 

Agra

Located on the Banks of the Holy River Yamuna, Agra is known for being the home to one of the greatest love symbols built in the world, and one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. This magical mausoleum attracts thousands of tourists every year from all over the world. 

Known to have extreme weather conditions, Agra experiences winter in December, making it one of the best places to visit in December. What better way to experience the cold weather of north India, sans the snow and admire the Taj? 

But, apart from the Taj, Agra also has many other attractions that are equally alluring and worth exploring. As you explore the city, you get an insight into India's rich historical past and how the erstwhile Kings have left an everlasting influence on the local culture. 

Throughout the city, you would find traces of Mughal rule in the region. While we can write an entire book on Agra’s history and monuments, you cannot miss mentioning the delicious local food. Agra is famous for its Petha, a sweet dish made of ash gourd that is as popular as the Taj. 

Best places to visit in Agra – Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Tomb of Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri, Mehtab Bagh, Itmad-ud-doula

Resorts in Agra – Ramada Plaza by Wyndham, offered by Club Mahindra. It is one of the most premium resorts in Agra where you get to enjoy royal hospitality and the famed Mughlai food

Jaisalmer

Located in the heart of the tantalising Thar Desert, and dotted with stunning architectural wonders in the world, Jaisalmer is an enchanting city that is sure to leave you in awe of its beauty and history. One of the best holiday destinations in December, the ‘Golden city of India,’ is one of the most precious gems in Rajasthan’s tourism circle. 

Home to sand dunes, battle-scarred fort and royal palaces, Jaisalmer city, is the perfect testimony to the famed Rajput Royalty, their culture, chivalry and luxurious lifestyle. The city boasts of an undeniable royal vibe all around and everything you see has a romantic charm about it. 

In short, the city encapsulates the idea of incredible Indian heritage, its valour and passion. 

Best places to visit in Jaisalmer – Bada Bagh, Patwon ki Haveli, Sam Sand Dunes, Gadisar Lake, Surya Gate, Thar Heritage Museum. 

Resorts in Jaisalmer – Club Mahindra Jaisalmer. Located in the most picturesque setting you can imagine, this resort is a luxurious retreat to your mind, body and soul. 

Mahabaleshwar

A popular hill station in Maharashtra and the favourite weekend getaway destination for the people of Mumbai, Pune and other nearby cities, Mahabaleshwar is charming from every corner. Known as ‘the land of strawberries,’ Mahabaleshwar boasts a magical landscape with gorgeous valleys, stunning mountain table land, glistening rivers, cascading falls, and endless stretches of lush greenery. 

Apart from its unfiltered natural beauty, the city is also home to many ancient temples and historical forts. Not to mention, Mahabaleshwar offers you the chance to indulge in various recreational activities like karting, hiking, strawberry plucking, boating, etc. All these and the chilly weather make this city one of the best places to go in December. 

Best places to visit in Mahabaleshwar – Mapro Gardens, Elephant’s Head Point, Lingmala Waterfall, Arthur’s seat, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Pratapgarh Fort.

Resorts in Jaisalmer – Club Mahindra Sherwood, and Club Mahindra Saj. Both these resorts in Mahabaleshwar are the perfect destination for your next family vacation, where you get plenty of natural beauty, luxurious treatment and the opportunity to have fun!

Shillong

Literally translates to ‘abode of clouds,’ Shilling is one of the most beautiful hill stations in India. If heaven of earth is true, then it surely looks like Shillong. The capital city of Meghalaya is located on Khasi Hill, on the far eastern side of the Indian Peninsula. 

With sparking waterfalls, azure lakes, crystal clear lakes, distinct culture and many natural wonders, Shillong is one of the best places to travel in December to experience the true north-eastern winter. Fondly known as the ‘Scotland of the East,’ its landscape is surreal to say the least. 

Best places to visit in Shillong – Umiam Lake, Lady Hydari Park, Mawlynnong Village, Mawphlang Sacred Forest, Double Decker Root Bridge, Dawki River

Now that you know the best places to travel in December in India, pick a place, get your bookings done, pack your bags and head out for a wonderful family holiday. Happy travelling!